Thubten Zopa Rinpoche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thubten Zopa Rinpoche
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| Born | 3 December 1946 Thangme, Nepal
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| Died | 13 April 2023 |
| Region | Tibetan Buddhism |
| School | Gelug |
Thubten Zopa Rinpoche (born Dawa Chötar, 1946-2023) was an important Tibetan Buddhist teacher, called a lama. He belonged to the Gelug school of Buddhism. He is famous for starting the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). He also helped create the Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon.
About Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Thubten Zopa Rinpoche was also known as Lama Zopa Rinpoche. A detailed story of his life can be found in the book The Lawudo Lama.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche was born in Thangme, Nepal, in 1945. When he was very young, people believed he was the new form of the Lawudo Lama Kunzang Yeshe. This is why he was given the special title "Rinpoche".
At age ten, Lama Zopa Rinpoche went to Tibet. There, he studied and meditated at a monastery near Pagri. He also took his vows to become a monk at Dungkar Monastery in Tibet.
In 1959, Lama Zopa Rinpoche left Tibet. This was after China took control of Tibet. He went to Bhutan and then to a refugee camp in India. There, he met Lama Yeshe, who became his main teacher.
In 1967, the Lamas met their first student from the West, Zina Rachevsky. They traveled with her to Nepal in 1968. In Nepal, they began teaching more Western students about Buddhism.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is best known for starting two important places. He co-founded Kopan Monastery with Lama Thubten Yeshe. He also co-founded the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT).
In 1972, he and Lama Yeshe also started the Tushita Meditation Centre. This center is located near McLeod Ganj in India. After Lama Yeshe passed away in 1984, Lama Zopa became the spiritual leader of FPMT.
FPMT does many good things under Rinpoche's guidance. They offer food to monks and nuns. They give scholarships for students to study Buddhist ideas. They also help old age homes, schools, and hospitals. FPMT also works to translate Buddhist texts. They help create holy objects like statues and prayer wheels. They also work to save animals.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche passed away on April 13, 2023. He had been staying in the Tsum Valley mountains in Nepal. He became sick due to the high altitude. He was brought down to Kathmandu, but he stopped breathing. Doctors tried to help him, but they were not successful.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche's books are published by Wisdom Publications. Many of his teachings are also available for free online.
His Teachers and Lineage
Lama Zopa Rinpoche was a holder of the Gelugpa lineage. This means he received teachings from many great Gelugpa masters. His main teacher, called his Root Guru, was HH Trijang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso. He studied with him from a young age in India.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche was a very dedicated student of the 14th Dalai Lama. He believed that helping the Dalai Lama and fulfilling his wishes was the most important goal for the FPMT organization.
Books by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche wrote several books. They were published by Wisdom Publications and Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. Some of his books include:
- How To Enjoy Death: Preparing to Meet Life’s Final Challenge without Fear
- The Four Noble Truths: A Guide to Everyday Life
- Bodhichitta: Practice for a Meaningful Life
- Dear Lama Zopa: Radical Solutions for Transforming Problems into Happiness
- Ultimate Healing
- The Door to Satisfaction
- Transforming Problems Into Happiness
- The Heart of the Path Book: Seeing the Guru as Buddha
- Teachings From the Medicine Buddha Retreat Book
- Sun of Devotion, Stream of Blessings Book
- How Things Exist: Teachings on Emptiness
See also
In Spanish: Thubten Zopa Rimpoché para niños
